• Promotion Information

  Below the Zone

  Overview

  Below the Zone (BTZ) promotion is an opportunity to promote one year ahead of when an officer is normally eligible. BTZ promotions are for truly exceptional officers who are performing at a high level, in a position that exceeds their current grade, and who have demonstrated leadership and made broad impacts in their discipline and assigned programs.  The BTZ process is outlined in

  Please note, if an officer met the eligibility requirements for BTZ in PY 2024 and was not nominated by their agency, they may be eligible for BTZ again in subsequent years based on the PY 2025 and later eligibility requirements. If an officer is nominated for BTZ, they cannot be nominated again for BTZ to the same grade.

  BTZ Eligibility Requirements for Promotion Year (PY) 2025 and Beyond

  In order to be eligible for BTZ, the officer must be:

  • Within 1 year of meeting the eligibility criteria during the PY (or 2 years for select disciplines if the Surgeon General approves)
  • At the O-3, O-4, or O-5 grade
  • In a billet that has a rating that is above their current grade
  • Compliant with readiness requirements
  • Rated as satisfactory on their most recent Annual Commissioned Officers’ Effectiveness Report (COER)
  • Have all required COERs for the past five years
  • Not have any active administrative or adverse action(s)

  Additional Information

  • Agencies may nominate no more than 10% of officers eligible at their agency for BTZ
  • When an agency nominates an officer for BTZ, the officer must remain assigned to that agency through their BTZ eligibility date as well as for 1 year after the effective date of their promotion (if the officer is successfully promoted)
  • An officer nominated for BTZ, is not eligible for a Special Promotion Examination to the same grade
  • All officers who receive a BTZ nomination from their agency, must understand the requirements laid out in POM 821.88

  Promotion Instructions are available on the Commissioned Corps Issuance System (CCIS).

  • Select "Commissioned Corps Issuance System" from the link bar at the top of this page.
  • Click on "Table of Contents."
  • Click on the "+" next to "Book 3: Personnel Management."
  • Click on Chapter 3: Promotions and Reductions.
  • Click the "+" next to the topic of interest related to promotions. The section title will turn blue.
  • Double click the blue section title and refer to the policy governing this process.

  Promotion Instructions are available on the Commissioned Corps Issuance System (CCIS).

  • Select "Commissioned Corps Issuance System" from the link bar at the top of this page.
  • Click on "Table of Contents."
  • Click on the "+" next to "Book 3: Personnel Management."
  • Click on Chapter 3: Promotions and Reductions.
  • Click the "+" next to the topic of interest related to promotions. The section title will turn blue.
  • Double click the blue section title and refer to the policy governing this process.

  Last Updated: 10/27/23
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